Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

VAAM, n., v. Also vam(m), vaum. [vɑ:m]

I. n. 1. A spell, a hypnotic influence (Sh. 1973).Sh. 1879 Shetland Times (10 May):
I tink be yer gab'at ye'er a Scotsman, der aith kent, for der aye sic an a vaam wi' dem.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
He (shø) has a vam wi' him (her); to cast a vam ower ane.Sh. 1956 New Shetlander No. 44. 21:
If onyeen interfaired wi hit, a vaam wid be casten ower him an he wid be taen ill wi an odious desaise.

2. Odour, smell, flavour, aroma (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., vamm, 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1973).Sh. 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 165:
The swart bird of which we speak detected the vaam of any unseen presence.

II. v. 1. To bewitch, cast a spell on (Sh. 1904 E.D.D., Sh. 1973).Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
He is vamd, is said for example of a fisherman, who catches no fish.

2. In ppl.adj. va(u)md: having a (bad) smell, decaying, “high” (Sh. 1973). See also Ill-vamd.Sh. 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 178:
Dere wis kippoks o' haddocks an' weel-speeted hoes; Heads dow'd, vam'd and draven, affectin' da nose. [Norw. dial. vam, mishap, bad luck, disappointment, bewilderment.]